ISABEL POV

I woke up the next morning with a pounding headache, but my mind was surprisingly clear. The events of the previous night were still vivid in my memory, a tapestry of intoxicating moments that left an indelible mark on my psyche. Alpha Xavier had escorted me home, his presence a comforting beacon in the haze of my inebriation. Before the watchful eyes of the gathering, he had acknowledged my contributions, his words a sweet melody to my ears.

That simple gesture, that acknowledgment of my worth, was the defining moment of my day. To feel valued, to feel seen, to feel appreciated, to feel loved—it was a transformative...